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'Gruesome' East Lancs sheep attacks condemned by farmers

THREE ‘gruesome’ dog attacks on sheep in the past 10 days have been condemned by farmers and vets.

A sheep was killed and two more seriously injured in overnight incidents at one farm on the outskirts of Colne.

Ellie Phipps, a farm hand at Broach Flat Farm, begged dog walkers to keep their pets on leads after the most recent fatality.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) condemned the attacks and echoed Miss Phipps’ calls for ramblers and dog walkers to do more to protect livestock as they said incidents of sheep worrying had risen by six per cent.

The Lancashire Telegraph has seen pictures of the injured ewes, but they were too disturbing to print.

Miss Phipps, who has worked at the Foulridge farm for six years, said the sheep’s owners were ‘devastated’ by the viciousness of the attacks.

She said: “We had a phone call from someone from a house nearby to say they had just walked their dog through the field and saw a dead sheep. It had clearly been attacked by dogs.

“There were a few others with bites and wounds. A few days later, we had another phone call from Stanley House Veterinary Group to say more sheep had been spotted with blood around their necks.

“Thankfully, they seem to be recovering. I’ve started taking photos as proof because it’s quite a common occurrence now.”

The farm, which has more than 200 sheep, has two footpaths running through it which emerge near Park High School, making it popular with dog walkers.

Miss Phipps, a 21-year-old third year veterinary science student at the University of Liverpool, said the incidents were not reported to the police as ‘there is no point’.

She said: “I think it’s just a case of raising awareness out there among dog owners. This is almost a day-to-day thing for us now. We are becoming immune to it.

“I wouldn’t even take my border collie off her lead in the field with them, because it’s almost natural behaviour for dogs to chase something.”

Carl Hudspith, spokesman for the North West branch of the NFU, said sheep worrying was a problem on two levels.

He said: “Firstly, from an animal welfare point of view, it’s massively worrying. People letting their dogs off leads are harming not only sheep and cattle, but also the dogs and even themselves.

“Farmers have a legal right to shoot dogs which are attacking their animals, although obviously we don’t want to see that happening.

“Secondly, a farmer’s stock is his livelihood and there will be financial implications in having a sheep killed.”

Terry Bork, a farmer from Bacup, lost his prize sheep, Dolly, in April in a similar attack.

He said: “The media coverage scared them off from here I think but unfortunately it seems they have cropped up elsewhere.

“I feel really sorry for these farmers. It sounds similar to what happened here and it’s really gruesome.”

A spokeswoman for Stanley House Veterinary Group said: “Please keep your dog on a lead when crossing farm land and please don’t let them wander off on their own or escape from your garden “If you do see a dog attacking sheep and don’t know who the sheep belong to, ring the police.”

Comments

Graham Hartley
7:17am Wed 11 Jun 14

Miss Phipps said ‘there is no point’ in reporting incidents to the police.

A veterinary spokeswoman said “If you do see a dog attacking sheep and don’t know who the sheep belong to, ring the police.” Miss Phipps, who does know the sheep's owner, suggests that we should not contact police.

Miss Phipps said ‘there is no point’ in reporting incidents to the police.
A veterinary spokeswoman said “If you do see a dog attacking sheep and don’t know who the sheep belong to, ring the police.” Miss Phipps, who does know the sheep's owner, suggests that we should not contact police.Graham Hartley

Miss Phipps said ‘there is no point’ in reporting incidents to the police.

A veterinary spokeswoman said “If you do see a dog attacking sheep and don’t know who the sheep belong to, ring the police.” Miss Phipps, who does know the sheep's owner, suggests that we should not contact police.

Score: -10

maxcollie
8:41am Wed 11 Jun 14

What's the point of ringing the police, if it's Lancashire Police they will be at least two hours before they turn up.

What's the point of ringing the police, if it's Lancashire Police they will be at least two hours before they turn up.maxcollie

What's the point of ringing the police, if it's Lancashire Police they will be at least two hours before they turn up.

The farmers have every right to fence their land off to protect their animals

The farmers have every right to fence their land off to protect their animalskarlBloomfie!d

The farmers have every right to fence their land off to protect their animals

Score: 14

ElliePhipps
10:07am Wed 11 Jun 14

Graham Hartley. I actually said that we had not reported these attacks to the police, as previously we have but it doesn't get us anywhere as the attacks have already happened and no one witnessed it.

Stanley house's comment referred to members of the public, if you see an attack taking place ring 999. Of you see a sheep that has been attacked ring 101 as they may be able to trace the owners. Hope this clears that up!

Graham Hartley. I actually said that we had not reported these attacks to the police, as previously we have but it doesn't get us anywhere as the attacks have already happened and no one witnessed it.
Stanley house's comment referred to members of the public, if you see an attack taking place ring 999. Of you see a sheep that has been attacked ring 101 as they may be able to trace the owners. Hope this clears that up!ElliePhipps

Graham Hartley. I actually said that we had not reported these attacks to the police, as previously we have but it doesn't get us anywhere as the attacks have already happened and no one witnessed it.

Stanley house's comment referred to members of the public, if you see an attack taking place ring 999. Of you see a sheep that has been attacked ring 101 as they may be able to trace the owners. Hope this clears that up!

Score: 16

ElliePhipps
10:09am Wed 11 Jun 14

Also Karl that is all well and good saying that but these are two footpaths that run through the middle of the field, the cost and loss of land would be too high!

Also Karl that is all well and good saying that but these are two footpaths that run through the middle of the field, the cost and loss of land would be too high!ElliePhipps

Also Karl that is all well and good saying that but these are two footpaths that run through the middle of the field, the cost and loss of land would be too high!

Score: 7

Steven Seagull
10:15am Wed 11 Jun 14

maxcollie wrote…

What's the point of ringing the police, if it's Lancashire Police they will be at least two hours before they turn up.

Who else would you expect to turn up if you ring the Police in Colne, the NYPD?

[quote][p][bold]maxcollie[/bold] wrote:
What's the point of ringing the police, if it's Lancashire Police they will be at least two hours before they turn up.[/p][/quote]Who else would you expect to turn up if you ring the Police in Colne, the NYPD?Steven Seagull

maxcollie wrote…

What's the point of ringing the police, if it's Lancashire Police they will be at least two hours before they turn up.

Who else would you expect to turn up if you ring the Police in Colne, the NYPD?

Score: -8

Steven Seagull
10:27am Wed 11 Jun 14

ElliePhipps wrote…

Graham Hartley. I actually said that we had not reported these attacks to the police, as previously we have but it doesn't get us anywhere as the attacks have already happened and no one witnessed it.

Stanley house's comment referred to members of the public, if you see an attack taking place ring 999. Of you see a sheep that has been attacked ring 101 as they may be able to trace the owners. Hope this clears that up!

Ellie I have to disagree with you in relation to not ringing the police. More often than not there are a small number of ne'er-do-wells who perpetrate this kind of vile crime. They may well be on the police radar already and making them aware of such incidents might provide intelligence that forms part of a bigger picture and might assist in any subsequent prosecution.

[quote][p][bold]ElliePhipps[/bold] wrote:
Graham Hartley. I actually said that we had not reported these attacks to the police, as previously we have but it doesn't get us anywhere as the attacks have already happened and no one witnessed it.
Stanley house's comment referred to members of the public, if you see an attack taking place ring 999. Of you see a sheep that has been attacked ring 101 as they may be able to trace the owners. Hope this clears that up![/p][/quote]Ellie I have to disagree with you in relation to not ringing the police. More often than not there are a small number of ne'er-do-wells who perpetrate this kind of vile crime. They may well be on the police radar already and making them aware of such incidents might provide intelligence that forms part of a bigger picture and might assist in any subsequent prosecution.Steven Seagull

ElliePhipps wrote…

Graham Hartley. I actually said that we had not reported these attacks to the police, as previously we have but it doesn't get us anywhere as the attacks have already happened and no one witnessed it.

Stanley house's comment referred to members of the public, if you see an attack taking place ring 999. Of you see a sheep that has been attacked ring 101 as they may be able to trace the owners. Hope this clears that up!

Ellie I have to disagree with you in relation to not ringing the police. More often than not there are a small number of ne'er-do-wells who perpetrate this kind of vile crime. They may well be on the police radar already and making them aware of such incidents might provide intelligence that forms part of a bigger picture and might assist in any subsequent prosecution.

Score: 3

ElliePhipps
10:36am Wed 11 Jun 14

Steven Seagull wrote…

ElliePhipps wrote…

Graham Hartley. I actually said that we had not reported these attacks to the police, as previously we have but it doesn't get us anywhere as the attacks have already happened and no one witnessed it.

Stanley house's comment referred to members of the public, if you see an attack taking place ring 999. Of you see a sheep that has been attacked ring 101 as they may be able to trace the owners. Hope this clears that up!

Ellie I have to disagree with you in relation to not ringing the police. More often than not there are a small number of ne'er-do-wells who perpetrate this kind of vile crime. They may well be on the police radar already and making them aware of such incidents might provide intelligence that forms part of a bigger picture and might assist in any subsequent prosecution.

I do agree. We do usually inform the police, however this time there was nothing to go off. Both attacks took place at night, no witnesses and only sign being the sheep the next morning. It may well have been someone's dog escaping a garden! Never tried taking it through social media before but thought it may just help to raise some awareness as I think one of the biggest issues is ignorance.

[quote][p][bold]Steven Seagull[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]ElliePhipps[/bold] wrote:
Graham Hartley. I actually said that we had not reported these attacks to the police, as previously we have but it doesn't get us anywhere as the attacks have already happened and no one witnessed it.
Stanley house's comment referred to members of the public, if you see an attack taking place ring 999. Of you see a sheep that has been attacked ring 101 as they may be able to trace the owners. Hope this clears that up![/p][/quote]Ellie I have to disagree with you in relation to not ringing the police. More often than not there are a small number of ne'er-do-wells who perpetrate this kind of vile crime. They may well be on the police radar already and making them aware of such incidents might provide intelligence that forms part of a bigger picture and might assist in any subsequent prosecution.[/p][/quote]I do agree. We do usually inform the police, however this time there was nothing to go off. Both attacks took place at night, no witnesses and only sign being the sheep the next morning. It may well have been someone's dog escaping a garden! Never tried taking it through social media before but thought it may just help to raise some awareness as I think one of the biggest issues is ignorance.ElliePhipps

Steven Seagull wrote…

ElliePhipps wrote…

Graham Hartley. I actually said that we had not reported these attacks to the police, as previously we have but it doesn't get us anywhere as the attacks have already happened and no one witnessed it.

Stanley house's comment referred to members of the public, if you see an attack taking place ring 999. Of you see a sheep that has been attacked ring 101 as they may be able to trace the owners. Hope this clears that up!

Ellie I have to disagree with you in relation to not ringing the police. More often than not there are a small number of ne'er-do-wells who perpetrate this kind of vile crime. They may well be on the police radar already and making them aware of such incidents might provide intelligence that forms part of a bigger picture and might assist in any subsequent prosecution.

I do agree. We do usually inform the police, however this time there was nothing to go off. Both attacks took place at night, no witnesses and only sign being the sheep the next morning. It may well have been someone's dog escaping a garden! Never tried taking it through social media before but thought it may just help to raise some awareness as I think one of the biggest issues is ignorance.

Score: 7

We'll win the next one
12:11pm Wed 11 Jun 14

Hope the farmers catch them in the act and they have their shotguns with them !!

Hope the farmers catch them in the act and they have their shotguns with them !!We'll win the next one

Hope the farmers catch them in the act and they have their shotguns with them !!

Score: 11

GracesDad
2:12pm Wed 11 Jun 14

I've said it before and I'll say it again....laws should be passed that dog owners have to muzzle their animals when taking them out in public. This one simple act would prevent hundreds of attacks every year.

I've said it before and I'll say it again....laws should be passed that dog owners have to muzzle their animals when taking them out in public. This one simple act would prevent hundreds of attacks every year.GracesDad

I've said it before and I'll say it again....laws should be passed that dog owners have to muzzle their animals when taking them out in public. This one simple act would prevent hundreds of attacks every year.

Score: 7

ROBERTSLUMDWELLER123
3:03pm Wed 11 Jun 14

karlBloomfie!d wrote…

Keep your bloody dogs on their bloody leads you ignorant imbeciles!

shut up ****.not all dogs attack dogs, same as not all people are as ignorant as you

[quote][p][bold]karlBloomfie!d[/bold] wrote:
Keep your bloody dogs on their bloody leads you ignorant imbeciles![/p][/quote]shut up ****.not all dogs attack dogs, same as not all people are as ignorant as youROBERTSLUMDWELLER123

karlBloomfie!d wrote…

Keep your bloody dogs on their bloody leads you ignorant imbeciles!

shut up ****.not all dogs attack dogs, same as not all people are as ignorant as you

Score: -5

ROBERTSLUMDWELLER123
3:06pm Wed 11 Jun 14

GracesDad wrote…

I've said it before and I'll say it again....laws should be passed that dog owners have to muzzle their animals when taking them out in public. This one simple act would prevent hundreds of attacks every year.

i'v said it before all car drivers must drive at no more than 20mph as this will save thousands of lives..

[quote][p][bold]GracesDad[/bold] wrote:
I've said it before and I'll say it again....laws should be passed that dog owners have to muzzle their animals when taking them out in public. This one simple act would prevent hundreds of attacks every year.[/p][/quote]i'v said it before all car drivers must drive at no more than 20mph as this will save thousands of lives..ROBERTSLUMDWELLER123

GracesDad wrote…

I've said it before and I'll say it again....laws should be passed that dog owners have to muzzle their animals when taking them out in public. This one simple act would prevent hundreds of attacks every year.

i'v said it before all car drivers must drive at no more than 20mph as this will save thousands of lives..

Score: -4

Graham Hartley
3:28pm Wed 11 Jun 14

ElliePhipps wrote…

Graham Hartley. I actually said that we had not reported these attacks to the police, as previously we have but it doesn't get us anywhere as the attacks have already happened and no one witnessed it.

Stanley house's comment referred to members of the public, if you see an attack taking place ring 999. Of you see a sheep that has been attacked ring 101 as they may be able to trace the owners. Hope this clears that up!

Thanks, Miss Phipps, for your gracious correction of the LT report.

[quote][p][bold]ElliePhipps[/bold] wrote:
Graham Hartley. I actually said that we had not reported these attacks to the police, as previously we have but it doesn't get us anywhere as the attacks have already happened and no one witnessed it.
Stanley house's comment referred to members of the public, if you see an attack taking place ring 999. Of you see a sheep that has been attacked ring 101 as they may be able to trace the owners. Hope this clears that up![/p][/quote]Thanks, Miss Phipps, for your gracious correction of the LT report.Graham Hartley

ElliePhipps wrote…

Graham Hartley. I actually said that we had not reported these attacks to the police, as previously we have but it doesn't get us anywhere as the attacks have already happened and no one witnessed it.

Stanley house's comment referred to members of the public, if you see an attack taking place ring 999. Of you see a sheep that has been attacked ring 101 as they may be able to trace the owners. Hope this clears that up!

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